The three Bishops leading the Episcopal Church in North Carolina have signed a joint statement against Amendment One.

The Rt. Rev. Michael B. Curry, Diocese of North Carolina; the Rt. Rev. Clifton Daniel, III, Diocese of East Carolina; and the Rt.Rev. G. Porter Taylor, Diocese of Western North Carolina; co-authored the joint letter and encouraged clergy to study what they see as likely impacts should the amendment pass.

“We oppose Amendment One because it is unjust and it does not respect the dignity of every human being in the State of North Carolina. If passed, it will harm not only law-abiding gay and lesbian citizens but other men, women and innocent children in our state,” reads one excerpt from the letter.

This is what makes me proud to be an Episcopalian. It doesn’t take a Biblical scholar to know that Jesus taught us to love one another. There is no room for homophobia (or racism or sexism) in a religion that claims to follow his teachings. Thank you, bishops, and thanks to all the clergy who fight hatred in the public and private sector.